Monday, July 25, 2011

Weekend Kallitype Printing


Untitled kallitype print, untoned
(click on image to view larger)


first prints of the series "Richard Serra's Garden"
palladium toned kallitypes
(click on image to view larger)

I recently purchased a new UV light box so that I could make cyanotypes, kallitypes and salt prints with a known constant UV source useable all year round, day and night. Up to this point, I had been relying on the sun, which of course varies in UV strength from day to day, and is useful for probably 5 months or so per year.

Getting the new light source required some recalibration of exposure times and adjustment curves for making digital negatives. I spent last weekend working on the calibration/curve problem with only limited success, and wasn't feeling very happy about things. However, as I often say in these situations, thank goodness I'm a scientist, because I've been trained to expect and handle frustration! This weekend I was working on other things, and on Sunday afternoon decided to go back to working on the kallitypes. And finally, success! I now have a workflow that I feel confident will help me turn out kallitypes with good tonal range on a consistent basis.

The second image shows three toned kallitypes that I see as the beginning of a series "Richard Serra's Garden". I've long been a fan of the American sculptor; for me, his work in sculpture, drawing and printmaking is all about mass, volume and the way they play off each other in defining spaces. I remember when I made these images I was drawn to the rocks because their juxtapositions and mass immediately made me think of Serra's work. These prints are 4"X4" on 5"X5" paper, which I think would make an ideal size for a limited edition artist book of kallitypes. I also want to use one or more of these images in a polymer photogravure workshop I'm taking in a couple of weeks. 

2 comments:

shuber1 said...

Hello Paul! Thnks for clarification of the Bertie Project.. I love it... I have not grown up yet.... and the kalli print is absoletely gorgeous...I think I can learn a lot from you...maybe some weekend when you have time..you can shwo me your DR and setup??? I would like to feature the wonderful artists and people I know on my site too!!! please... susie

Paul said...

Thanks, susie!